Looking towards the ubiquitous nature of microbes and their great impact on Agriculture, Technology and Allied Science, the department was established in 1960. Currently the department is running Masters’ (M.Sc. microbiology), M. Sc (Ag.) Microbiology) and Ph.D. programmes. Moreover, the courses for UG are also being taught to the students of B.Tech Biotechnology. The department received major strengthening support for teaching and research in 1994 from DBT, Govt. of India and from DST-FIST in 2001. M.Sc. and Ph. D course programmes consist both course work and thesis research work. Besides, teaching and research, the department is also engaged in extension activities of the University. Therefore, department is presently functioning with following mandates.

Mandate:

Basic and applied study of microorganisms, their biopotentiality, conservation and cataloguing for sustainable development with defined research thrust.

Research Thrust

1. ­­Repository of useful microorganisms
2. Bioprospecting of secondary metabolites
3. Bioremediation of polymers, metal and pesticide Pollutants
4. Structure-function-relationship of proteins
5. Proteomics of cold shock and N2 fixing proteins
6. Microbial taxonomy and community analysis
7. Molecular microbial fingerprint of soils
8. Polyphasic bacterial taxonomy
9. Biofuel/Biodiesel production
10. New formulations and delivery systems for Bioinoculants
11. This will lead to long term impact on growth and development

Expected Outcomes

1. Exploration of microbial flora for documentation and characterization of novel genes, genomes and proteins for societal upliftment
2. Commercialization of selected potential polymer-degrading microbial consortia for municipal waste treatment and pesticide management
3. Microbes as alternate energy source using different horticultural and agricultural wastes.
4. Development of potential consortium for crop improvement and sustainable agriculture.

Degrees Offered

M.Sc. (Microbiology)

Ph.D. (Microbiology)

Courses Offered

*Compulsory courses for M.Sc/ M.Sc. (Ag) Microbiology

** Compulsory courses for Ph.D. Microbiology

Functional laboratories in the department

Microbial Genomics Lab

Fermentation Lab

Rhizosphere Biology Lab

Bioinoculants Lab

Molecular Biology lab

Chromatography Lab

DNA Sequencer Cell

DNA Fingerprinting Lab

NMHS Lab

P.G. Teaching Lab

U.G. Teaching Lab

Equipments

Gradient PCR, Gel documentation system, DGGE system, Water Purification System, Low Temp. Cabinet(-800C), UV/VIS Spectrophotometer, Streozoom Microscope with protomicrography attachment, Fluroscent microscope, Refrigerated High Speed Centrifuges 4, Ultrasonicator, Ion- chromatography System, Low temp incubator shakers, UV-VIS Spectrophotometer, Computers-six(HP 6100) Server(High Configuration,Xeon based-IBM), Printers, Scanners, RT-PCR, Incubator Shaker, DNA sequencer.

Number of M.Sc. Student: 11

Number of Ph.D. Students: 14

Hands on Training organized by Dr. Lakshmi Tewari

Training Title: “Microbiological Quality Assessment of Drinking Water”

Total No. of Students registered: 16